The battle in the hills

By Halaliye Karunathilake
Edited and translated by Niluka De Silva
Illustrated by Saman Kalubowila

1. Serious fighting continued in 'Atadahasrata,' which was the Eastern Dissawe of Ruhuna. The king's army entertained a wish to conquer Mahanagakula, the capital city of the earlier rulers of Ruhuna. So they decided to open up a new war-front in the west. This area was known as 'Dolosdahasrata.'

2. A number of troops marched under a commander. Another battalion, under the Tamil Adikari, marched from Ratnapura. He entered the Matale Dissawe, passing through the hills of Morawaka. The armies that marched along the coast-line, passed through Pasdun Korale. They conquered Gintota. They main army too marched behind them.

3. They marched and set up camp at the mouth of the Ginganga. The enemy then retreated upto Weligama. Those days there was an important harbour there and wealthy merchants lived in the city. The chief, who marched along the coast-line was quite shrewd. He did not leave any room for the people of Weligama to complain. He was good to them and vowed not to punish them, if

they accepted the king's leadership.

4. He also forwarded conditions to say that they will be provided with optimum security. The merchants and the ordinary people all liked these conditions and extended their cooperation. Thereafter, the troops of Polonnaruwa returned to the East. There was serious fighting in a number of places like Pelana, Kamburugamuwa, Matara and Dondra. They were able to confront these fearlessly. The enemy was made to flee.

5. The victorious troops assembled at Akuressa, to cross the Nilwala ganga. The enemy that retreated was also there and once again, serious fighting ensued. But the armies that marched from Polonnaruwa were able to win. Further up, on the banks of the river, along the route they took, they set up camp.

6. The defeated army of Queen Sugala, was also somewhere there. They retreated to Ranmalkanda. On a side of the hill, on the route to the Rambha Vihara, they camped. If their ambition was to be achieved, the royal army had to march forward. But before that, it was essential to overcome the threat of the enemy. The enemy that was hiding in the hills had to be chased away. This was a difficult task.

7. So, it was decided to send a strong army there. The ones who were selected undertook the task. The route they had to take was rugged and many were the obstacles on the way. The enemy had employed all sorts of strategy and was in waiting. But there were spies to supply information to these troops. Secretly, they showed the way. With their assistance the royal army was able to march along the unprotected route.

8. These soldiers were able to attack the enemy camp and take them by surprise. All their camps were seized. The forward march was easy. Other contingents joined the army that was selected for the task. They camped there.